Japanese Newspaper: "President Moon Worried About Sado Mine World Heritage Recommendation... Enthusiastic About Holding Summit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Major Japanese newspapers on the 11th unanimously reported that President Moon Jae-in expressed concerns about the Japanese government's decision to nominate Sado Mine, a site of forced labor of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period, as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage candidate.

The Asahi Shimbun, in an international news article titled "Sado Mine World Heritage Nomination, Korean President's Concern," reported that President Moon expressed displeasure in a written interview regarding the Sado Mine issue, saying, "It is concerning at a time when we should seek to resolve historical issues and develop a future-oriented relationship."

Regarding the forced labor victims and the issue of Japanese military comfort women, he said, "We have been trying to resolve these diplomatically, but it is regrettable that we have not yet found common ground," and reiterated his view that "(both issues) are human rights issues of universal human values, and a solution acceptable to the victims must be found."

Asahi also introduced that President Moon, whose term expires this May, showed willingness to hold a Korea-Japan summit, stating that "there is no change in the position of always being open to communication with the Japanese Prime Minister."

The Mainichi Shimbun, reporting on President Moon's related remarks, noted that this was the first time he directly criticized the Sado Mine issue, giving it significance. Mainichi also analyzed that while President Moon expressed a desire to improve Korea-Japan relations during his term, it is difficult for the two countries to reach a compromise on historical issues.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, reporting on President Moon's interview, added that in response, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said, "We will calmly and politely discuss with several countries including Korea at UNESCO to ensure the outstanding value of the cultural heritage is recognized."

The Sankei Shimbun, a right-leaning daily in Japan, reported that President Moon directly criticized the Japanese government's nomination of Sado Mine as a World Heritage site for the first time and urged Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to engage in dialogue to discuss pending issues between Korea and Japan, stating that "the 'communication channel' with the Japanese Prime Minister is always open."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.